Grille



March 3, 1936. QKARMAZIN 2,032,365 I GRILLE Filed Nov. 13, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 b INVENTOR 5 P4 12 14 John Karmzi/z J. KARMAZIN March 3, 1936.

GRILLE Filed NOV. 15, 1935 4 sheets-sheet 2 III! INVENTOR John fl ar,

I ZI IZ March 3, 1936. Q K z 2,032,365

- GRILLE Filed Nov. 13, 1935 '4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. KARMAZIN March 3, 1936.

GRILLE Filed NOV. 15, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IQ to. O

m T r. N a M h w I77 in Patented Mar. 3, 1936 FFICE John Karmazin, Grosse Ile, Micln, assignor to Karmazin Engineering Company, a corporation of Michigan Application November 13, 1933, Serial No. 691,756

9 Claims. (01. 189-82) This invention relates to an improved grille for ventilation, ornamentation, air conditioning and other purposes and to a method of producing the same.

In previous grilles for ventilation and other purposes it has been the practice to provide a plurality of horizontal members and of transverse members with air passages between the members so as to provide for the passage of air into or out of the space to be ventilated. In some instances these grilles have been stamped out of one piece of metal in rectangular or diamond shape. In

other instances they have been formed by rods extending through fin elements providing a more symmetrical type of grille and one of more sub stantial construction which will permit uniform flow of air therethrough without whistling or other objectionable sounds. In producing grilles of the former type, a' separate die, often of large size, is necessary for each size and shape produced and in the latter type, special jigs and fixtures are necessary for each size, making the outlay for tools and dies unusually expensive, thereby increasing the cost of production and limiting the number of sizes and shapes which can be produced. v

One of the objects of my invention is to produce a desirable grille of the fin type which can be made by drawing tubular projections from sheets 30 of strip material and then nesting the tubular projections of one strip member into the tubular projections of another strip member to form a grille which is of regular contour and-at the same time cheap toconstruct as one set of dies can be used, to produce innumerable sizes by merely changing the length of the strips or the number of strips nested together. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a grille and method of producing the same whereby the shape of the individual elements and therefore of the entire grille may be readily changed to secure different ornamental efiects, without necessitating an entirely new set of dies for each change.

Another object of the invention is to provide a grille which may be readily varied in size in the field so that the heating contractor or other workmen, without special tools or fixtures may fit the grille to a given ventilator or heater opening, without having each separate size built in the factory.

My invention provides a grille construction for use with air conditioning units, with air and gas passages, automobile radiators, ventilators, heating units, etc., which is formed of stacked sheet metal fin elements each with integral tubular projections whereby the individual elements may be stacked together, without other securing means to produce a strong and efficient grille, in which the elements are uniformally spaced and are 5 free from rattling, whistling, etc.

Another object of my invention is to provide a. more simply constructed and less expensive grille for air conditioning, radiator cabinets or automobile fronts the size of which is readily variable 10 to suit special conditions and which is easily formed into decorative shape and will satisfactorily hide the radiator construction but will not materially reduce the rate of air flow through the p 16 Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description thereof taken in connection with the attached drawings which illustrate a preferred form of embodiment of my invention and in which;

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a. grille for the front of an automobile radiator,

Figure 2 is a plan view with parts in section,

Figure 3 is a detailed side elevation with parts in section of one form of grille having curved por- 25 tions on one face and V shaped notches on the other face of the grille elements,

Figures 4 and 5 are vertical sections taken substantially on the lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a side elevation with parts in sec-' 30 tion of a modified shape of grille,

Figure? is a plan view with parts in section, of the form of grille element shown in Figure 6 having reverse curve sections from front to back of the grille,

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a. side elevation partly in section of a. further. modified shape of grille element,

Figure 10 is a plan view also partly in section 40 of the embodiment of Figure 9 in which the front and rear edges of the grille element are curved, the front of the elements being curved in a direction opposite to the curve of the rear edges,

Figure 11 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line ii-il of Figure 9,

Figure 12 is a front elevation, and Figure 13 is a plan view of a construction similar to that shown in Figure 9 with the curvature of the edges ofthe 50 grille being reversed for alternate elements at each side of the tubular projections,

Figure 14 is a side elevation, and Figure 15 is a plan view of a still further modified form oi. construction in which a series of deflections are formed in the grille element between supporting units,

Figure 16 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line lG-IG of Figurel, Figure 17 is a partial plan view and Figure 18 is a section through a modified form of straight lip reinforced grille,

Figure 19 is a side elevation with parts in section of a drawing press and forming unit for forming the grille element,

Figure 20 is a side elevation partly in section showing a typical construction of the die block.

Grilles are commonly used in ventilators, air passages, radiator enclosures, etc., for decorative purposes or for deflecting the air in some manner or for generally covering the aperture or for all of these reasons. -Such grilles have recently been mounted in front of the usual automobile radiatorgiving such vehicle an improved appearance. These grilles should be easy to construct,

yet strong and adaptable to many uses. Economyin production and ability to vary design and shape without undue increase in cost is also an important feature. The grille and method of producing the same described herein ideally meets these conditions.

An illustrative form of grille III is shown as applied to the shell -I l of an automobile radiator which a series of tubular projections llb have been stamped or drawn and in which deflecting curves such as l5 and It may be formed. The projections D are formed from the same metal as the fin part I and they are slightly tapered so as to nest together when the fin parts H are assembled into a grille.

Aseries of fins it having integral tubular projections b can readily be made by suitable drawing operations as hereinafter described in a continuous manner from a long strip or ribbon of a metal. When these fin elements are cut to a suitable length corresponding to the length or width of the grille, the elements are stacked and pressed together with the. tubular projections Mb telescoping partially in the tubular projections of the next adjacent element to produce the desired height and the grille is complete without the insertion of rods or other securing means.

The conical shape of the projections 'Ilb not only hold the elements together but act as a proper spacer to keep the elements uniformly spaced from each other, as well as to rigidly hold the entire stack or core together to prevent rattling or vibration etc. Again referring to Figure 3, the sectional portion shows the projections Nb of one fln element extending into the opening of the-projection Nb of the adjacent element,

thus securing without soldering, bolting or the like. The entire grille thus becomes practically.

one piece of metal without loose parts to rattle or vibrate,

This type of grille if applied in front of an automotive radiator will effectively hide the radiator itself and will control the air flow if desired. The grille elements may be placed sufficiently close together to make direct observaaosases I tion of the radiator impossible at a short distance or they may be readily spaced as desired. Where a grille is used to control the air or gas flow through a given opening this is also accomplished particularly well by my form of 5 grille as the tin portion ll may be easily bent or formed to any shape or angle in the forming operation before they are assembled together. The deflecting portions l5 and I6 illustrate one form of omamenting and deflecting curves, and the rows of tubular projections llb effectively divide the gas stream passing through the grille, and give stability or rigidity to the fin elements between the curved portions. o In Figures 2, 3 and 4, I have illustrated a gradual down'curved shape ii on the front edge of the strips between each of the rows of tubular projections Ilb and at the same time, the rear edge of the elements are bent upwardly at a sharp angle into a notch It, so that the front of the element at I! picks up the air stream and the notches l6 deflect the air in various direc-. tions against the radiator if this'grille is used on an automobile. The angularity of these notches it may be used to curve the grille along the length of the elements as is more clearly shown in Figure 2. By such means it will be seen that the grilles may be adapted to curved as well as flat surfaces as the curved front "illustrates.

The air or gas passing through this grille will so be forced upwardly as it passes rearwardly as is evident from the sectional constructions shown in Figures 4 and 5. All of the strips or elements are effective for this purpose and the rows of tubular projections bring about a further diversion 35 of the gases passing through. The relative depth of the curved portion I5 and the angularity of the vnotch portion I6 may be varied as desired.

Grilles of this type may be made of any desired width or height by merely varying the length 40 of the fin strips or the number stacked together. The elements H with the curved edges l5 and I6 and the integral projections llb may be produced continuously and cut to any desired length in the machine hereafter described and when cut 5 and nested each element secures itself to the adjacent element due to the large number of telescoped tubular joints, the resultant core is of great strength regardless of the total number 'of elements.

Theiadaptability of my grille to other shapes'is shown in Figures 6' to 16 which represent different forms of fin elements for directing the air or gases passing through the grille in different directions. The form of construction shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 includes the fln element 20 curved downwardly at 2| on one edge and upwardly on the other edge 22. In such a case, the air passing through is not mixed and the percentage of free open space is very high. Good covering of any radiator or other element to be concealed behind the grille, or the closure of an opening from sight 1 is possible however, and the air may be forced in and up from one side or down and-out through the other. Furthermore, the air or gas passing through will. not come out in jets as the multiplicity of small fin elements does not materially reduce the flow of air. Y Another type of grille element is shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 and although this construction is somewhat similar to the construction of Figures 6, 7 and 8, it will be noted that it has a somewhat greater free opening. The deflecting vanes 25 are symmetrically curved downwardly in front and upwardly at 21 in the rear between the tele- 75 scoped joints formed by the tubular projections 26 which are spaced at regular distances across the face of the grille. The rearmost edges 2'! of the fin elements are preferably oppositely curved with respect to the foremost edges 25. The angularity is relative however, for the grille may have either face forward as desired and in one case the air will be forced upwardly whereas in the other case, it will be forced downwardly. A rod 28 may be used in this and other forms to retain the grille elements together. This will additionally reinforce the elements and it may be soldered or welded or secured to the elements by suitable nuts and screw threaded ends.

The modification shown in Figures 12 and 131s a variation of the form shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11. As will be particularly noted, the grille includes several unit sections 30, 3| and 32 each of which is separated by the telescoped tubular projections 33. In two of the unit sections, 30 and 32 the fin or deflector element is curved upwardly as shown at 34 while in the central unit 3|, the

same fin is curved downwardly on the same edge 16 has a series of ruflled edges or flutes 40 on the edges of the fin element 4 I, the flutes on the front edge Ma being reversed with respect to the rear edge 4|b. In cross section as shown Figure 16; it will be noted that the path is such that the air will be forced to divide into up and-down currents as it passes through the grille. The air will thus be very thoroughly mixed and will be deflected in all directions.

This construction may be readily variedso that the vanes between each tubular projection are different so that the streams of air are blown down at the center vane between two projections and up at the center vane between the two projections immediately adjacent. It is readily possible to combine any groups of units as desired and the fin edges may be bent into many irregular paths as desired to produce either ornamental defiections or mixing vanes.

The constructions shown and particularly the last form are especially suited for use in air conditioning units where a. quantity of untreated air is mixed with heated or cooled air already in the room to bring about the desired mixture for room purposes. Often the amount of cooled or heated air is but a small percentage of the entire mixture and an intimate mix is necessary. As the air is passed through a grille of the type of Figures 14, 15 and 16 it will be clear that an intimate mixture will result. i

A diiferent form of grille element without the shielding effect, is shown in Figures 17 and 18. This grille element 54 is similarly provided with drawn tubular projections 45 which telescope in the adjacent projections of the next elements. This form of grille element may preferably be provided with projections 46 which may be of diamond or other shape which strengthen the element. A grille made of such elements will be simple and sturdy in construction and will be particularly adapted to certain particularuses where concealment is not essential.

The open area of these forms of grilles is a high percentage of the gross frontal area or size of opening for the fin elements can be of relatively thin construction and separate securing means are unnecessary due to the automatic se-, curing of the joints by the telescoped relation of the tapered projections. Soldering can be used with no difiiculty-but it usually is found unnecessary. No rattling or whistling occurs due to the tight fit of the projections nesting into each other. An unusual advantage of my grille and method of constructing the same is that all these various forms as well as various sizes may be produced without necessity for a complete separate die for each form produced.

In Figures 19 and 20, I have illustrated aform of machine and die suitable for carrying out my method of forming the grilles I have described. It is of the type generally known as a forming and punching machine using female die member 50 preferably carried on a base plate or bed 5| supported by the frame 52 and the upper or male die plate 53 carried on the end of platen 54 which is guided in a suitable manner and reciprocated through suitable power means, (not shown) and fly-wheel 55.

The grille elements i4, 2|, 25 etc., are formed from a strip of suitable material such as copper, brass, aluminum, steel, etc., which is presented in Figure 19 by the character 56 and shown in a coil or spool 58. The fiat strip or ribbon of metal 56 is moved progressively through the dies 5|] and 53 by the feed rolls 12. A tensioning roll 590. may be used to regulate the delivery of the strip and take out the slack. An oil bath 59 is also preferably provided for the strip before it enters between 'the dies.

The preferred formation of the dies is shown in Figure 20. A plurality of forming tools 60, 6| for gradually drawing the prbjections from the strip and a perforating tool 62 are carried in the male die 53 and below these tools ,are female depressions 6 la, etc., to assist in forming the projections. Spring pressed plunger 63 which force the strip out of the female depressions are provided in each depression. A separate die block is mounted near the end of the die 50 for curving the front and rear of the strips on the edges as shown at i5, i6, 25, 21, etc., in the previous figures. The die block has a cooperating plunger 66 to give the desired curvature to the fin edges. Preferably, the die 66 and the die block 65 are separately mounted in the dies 50 and 53 so that they can be removed and changed if a differently curved element is desired.

The strip 56 is fed progressively through the machine as is well known in the art, the partly formed projections moving from one die depression to the next until formed to the desired depth, Stop means are provided to stop the strip in proper registry with each die depression while the rolls 12 move the strip one step forward when the die 53 is elevated.

A stacking machine 10 is preferably mounted near the press and the strips M are fed of the proper length into the stacking machine by feed rollers l2 whereupon the cutter 1| operates to cut strips of the desired length. The stacking machine has a synchronously driven screw 13 moving the stacking table 14 downward the formed. The strips are then bent or deflected in the dies 65-66 to the desired angularity after 7 which the fin elements are stacked into a core.

A more complete operation of this type of machine will be found in my Patent No. 1,669,761. While I have shown preferred forms of embodiment to which my invention is susceptible, I

am aware that other modifications may be made therein and I therefore desire a broad interpretation of my invention within the scope and spirit of the disclosure herein and of the claims appended hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A grille comprising a plurality of fin elements having integral tubular projections extending therefrom, the tubular projections of adjacent elements being telescoped together, each of said elements cooperating with adjacent elements to form a rigid structure, said fin elements having portions bent out of the plane of the element in unperforated parallel surfaces to deflect gases passing through said grille without substantial change in distance between fins. a

2. A grille comprising a plurality of fin elements, said elements having tubular projections extending therefrom, said tubular projections telescoping in adjacent projections, the fin elements being uniformly spaced by said projections and subdividing the gas stream passing through the grille, and a plurality of curved portions adjacent the edge of the fin elements to direct the flow of gas.

3. In a fin and tube type grille, a plurality of telescoped tubular projections, a plurality of fins integral with said projections and dividing the air which flows between said rows of projections into a plurality of streams, said fins having curved edges projecting from the spaces between said tubes, and curved edges being equally spaced from one another for deflecting the air streams flowing. therethrough without substantially varying the cross-sectional area of the passages between the fins.

4. A grille of thelclass described comprising an integral stack of separate fin and tube type elements, the fin elements having integral tubes telescoping adjacent fin tubes and being deformed on their edges in parallel relationship to bring about an intermixing of air passing therethrough, the thickness of the fin' elements and the relative spacing thereof being such as to not materially reduce the volume of air flowing therethrough with respect to the gross frontal area.

5. A grille for air conditioning units comprising a'series of stacked fin and tube type metallic elements, each of said elements having a single row of relatively long and narrow integral tubular projections, the tubular projections of the respective elements being partially telescoped and secured in the tubular projections of adjacent elements, and the fins being deformed in parallel relationship and in gradual curves to deflect and mix gases passing through said grille.

6. A grille for mixing gases passing therethrough which comprises a series of fin elements having integral tubular projections thereon, said elements being stacked with the tubular projections of one element extending into the tubular projections of an adjacent element, said tubular projections forming rows of joints securing the grille, said fin elements having curved parallel edges on one face and notched edges on the other face between the rows of tubular projections.

7. A grille for mixing gases passing therethrough which comprises a series offin elements having. integral tubular projections thereon, said elements being stacked with the tubular projections of one element-extending into the tubular projections of an adjacent element, said tubular projections forming rows of joints securing the grille, said fin elements having curved parallel edges on. one face and oppositely curved parallel edges on the opposite face.

8. A grille for mixing gases passing therethrough which comprises a series of fin elements having tubular projections thereon, said elements being stacked'with the tubular projections of one element extending into the tubular projections of an adjacent element, said tubular pro- Ejections forming rows of joints securing the grille said fin elements having curved parallel edges on one face between rows of tubular projections, the alternate rows of curved edges being oppositely disposed to the other rows of curved edges on the same face.

9. A grille for mixing gases passing there- 'through which comprises a series of fin elements having a single row of tubular projections thereon, said elements being stacked with the tubular projections of one element extending into the tubular projections of an adjacent element, said tubular projections forming crows of joints securing the grille, the edges of said elements having a plurality of curves on one face between each row of tubular projections, the edges on the other face being oppositely curved.

JOHN KARMAZIN. 

